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It’s Popular, It’s Poisonous, And It’s Everywhere!

© Eileen O'dea

Last summer it became the new drug of choice for many teens. This summer, teens in historic Woodstock New York found out how dangerous it really is. It's JIMSONWEED, a very hardy weed that produces many large, prickly seed pods. Inside it holds many small poisonous seeds. When ingested, the seeds act as a strong hallucinogenic. The effects of this weed are dangerous and deadly.

Some teens, after reading an article about these effects, craved the side effect of these seeds. Now several are in the hospital with strong hallucinations. One of them is in critical condition. One thought the ambulance that came to get him was an alien space craft. That is no laughing matter. This kid really thought he and his friends were being abducted by little green men. A girl, who tried the seeds last summer, thought her Mother was running over little kids with her car.

Those two learned their lesson, and luckily lived to talk about it. Some may not be so lucky. Those potential casualties are why I write this information. I urge parents and teens to read this article, and know just how dangerous this weed is.

A little about the weed:

Jimsonweed is also called Thorn-apple, Jamestown Weed, Devil's Trumpet, and Stink Weed. Its crushed leaves have a horrible smell. It is poisonous and narcotic. The plant is commercially used as a source of Hyoscyamine, Atropine, and Scopolamine.

It is a tree-like annual. It grows 1 to 4 feet tall. It's a native to Asia, but grows as a weed in yards, fields and waste places all over the US. In my part of the woods it grows from manure piles on farms.

How to spot it:

For a better picture please look Here.

It has alternate, toothed, dark green leaves, and large white or purple, trumpet shaped flowers 3-4 inches long. It bears prickly pods that hold the brown, flat, kidney shaped seeds.

The plant itself looks harmless. Don't let that fool you, or make you think it can't be the same plant I have described. Some may even consider it an attractive addition to the landscape. Please, if you see this plant, in your yard, chop it down. It could start to grow back. If it does, dig it up! It is of no use to you whatsoever, and you don't want a curious teen taking it.

I know this is not my usual, what you can do with it, kind of article. I felt it was necessary to take advantage of my Editorial power to bring this information to everyone. I hope you agree. If I can stop one teen from trying something that could kill them, I think it is worth the aside.